The collective impact of parishioners’ financial gifts to the Diocesan Annual Campaign (DAC) was in full view during the kickoff event for this year’s campaign with testimonials, milestones and photographic images of the past year bearing witness to the shared work of the Diocese in fulfilling the mission of the Church.
The kickoff meeting also unveiled the 2026 Diocesan Annual Campaign, “Faithful Stewards,” which begins February 1 with a goal of $7,741,147.
The annual kickoff meeting is hosted by the Office of Stewardship and Development for parish clergy, office staff and volunteers who work in the promotion and processing of gifts to the annual campaign.
This year’s event, held on January 7 at the Diocesan Center, revealed for the seventh year in a row an increase in DAC revenue and expressed profound gratitude for the $8.2 million contributed to the 2025 campaign as of January 6, exceeding the campaign goal of $7,624,751.
Sixty-seven parishes have met their DAC goals as of January 6, with rebates totaling $860,700 among them, noted Kim Roche, Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development.
Speaking on the impact of DAC dollars and the culture of stewardship in the Diocese, Bishop Timothy Senior in his opening remarks said, “The spirit of support that is in our parishes is very encouraging. I’m encouraged by the fact that a culture of stewardship is present in our Diocese in wonderful ways.”
The Diocesan Annual Campaign provides resources, expertise, guidance and support for more than 90 ministries and programs in the Diocese. Parishioners’ contributions to the DAC sustain, expand and support the Diocese’s efforts in areas such as evangelization, education, vocations and outreach.
During the meeting, a number of directors of various Diocesan offices gave presentations on how DAC dollars have directly impacted their ministries, programs and services in 2025; they also offered a look at some of the new initiatives that will be made possible through financial gifts in 2026.
Contributions to the 2025 DAC have supported seminarian formation and outreach to young people discerning a vocation; more than 9,000 students in Catholic schools; 25 active young adult groups and a dozen Catholic Campus Ministry programs; the inaugural “BEHOLD!” conference, along with more than 30 retreats and programs for laity and families; renewed efforts in prison ministry and Catholic social teaching; robust outreach work in multicultural ministries; and support for Catholic Charities’ 12 programs, including a new mobile unit for the Labre mental health clinic and a fully renovated kitchen at Lourdeshouse Maternity Home.
“In the Office of Vocations, it wouldn’t be difficult to exist without the Diocesan Annual Campaign; it would be impossible to do what we do,” said Father Joshua Weaver, Director of Vocations.
“The biggest way the DAC supports our office is by helping our men currently in formation to continue to grow and be formed so they can ultimately serve you as good, holy priests in the future,” he said, pointing to the Diocese’s nine seminarians and the $50,000-$60,000 cost for room, board, transportation and other necessities each year.
“Our whole Church is supporting vocations, supporting young men to really discern the call. With the programs we’re offering to put that on their radar – Quo Vadis Days, the Called by Name program – we’ve seen an uptick in the number of men who are bringing themselves forward and the DAC makes that possible,” he said.
Speaking a pre-recorded video about the programs of the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization, Deacon Gregory Amarante underscored that Diocesan Annual Campaign “funds ministries that no single parish could sustain alone. These are ministries that form disciples, accompany families, serve the vulnerable and ensure that every person knows they belong in the Church.”
“Each of these ministries is a testament to what we can accomplish together. The Diocesan Annual Campaign is not simply about funding programs, it is about forming disciples, strengthening parishes, serving those in need and bringing the hope of Christ to every corner of our Diocese,” Deacon Amarante said.
Looking toward the 2026 campaign, Roche reviewed best practices on donor engagement, growth and retention; sharing stories of impact, stewardship and gratitude; and streamlining gift processing.
“Our mission is to spread the Good News, and how we do that is critically important,” she said.
In closing remarks, Bishop Senior said “The DAC is part of the stewardship of the shared responsibility in the Church. We’re all in this together – parishes, institutions, schools, Catholic Charities, all the programs of the Diocese itself. It’s our common responsibility to share in the mission of the Church at the Diocesan level and at the local level.”
“We have wonderful, generous people and I’m confident this will again be a successful year in 2026,” he said.
The 2025 campaign ends January 31, and the 2026 DAC launches February 1. For more information on how to give and stories of impact, visit www.hbgdiocese.org/diocesan-annual-campaign/.
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
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